Suddenly the door did open, just when I had decided in happy relief that everything was going along nicely without me and our lawyer said: "Sie sollen herein kommen, Gnaedige Frau" (You should come in, gracious lady). So in a daze and dither the gracious lady walked in. I found myself before a dais and a bar, behind which sat four judges in their robes, two of them women and two men. To my right and on my level was an insignificant looking little man In civilian attire, I decided must be some sort of clerk. Later I learned that he represented the German Government, Ernst and the lawyer, the latter also in robes sat behind me, their chairs probably placed so that they could not direct me by any facial expressions.
Not being sure of the proper address, I did the best I could with a slight bow and "Guten Tag" (Good Day). "Take a seat, Mrs. Tuchmann," said the presiding judge, a middle aged man who looked kind, shrewd and, thank goodness, full of humour. Koennen Sie deutsch sprechen? (Can you speak German?)
| Rose: | "Ja, meistens" (Yes, mostly) |
| Judge: | "Meistens, das geht schon (Mostly, that is allright). Mrs. Tuchmann, Sie sind hier als Zeugin fuer die Gesundheit Herr Otto Tuchmann. Aber Sie soll vestehen, dass als Frau Herr Ernst Tuchmann, Sie brauchen nicht, wenn Sie sind dagegen." (Mrs. Tuchmann, you are here as Witness for the health of Mr. Otto Tuchmann. But please understand that as the wife of Mr. Ernst Tuchmann, you are not obligated to do so if you do not wish to testify.) |
| Rose: | "Nein, ich mach das gerne." (No, I am glad to do so.) |
| Judge: | "Gut. Was ist Jhr erste Name? (“Well what is your first name?) |
At the name "Rose", a rustle starts in the courtroom and everyone acts puzzled. There seems to be relief when I translate to "Rosa'" and more relief when it develops that my maiden name was Schwarz, a simple German name that can be bitten into without any fuss or delay.
Next, the question of age, with a fine distinction made as to whether I AM or EXPECT to BE. And by now everything seemed to be so cozy that when I gave it, I expected to hear at least: "Ich werde es sicher nicht glauben." ("I will certainly not believe it.") But no one seemed at all, even politely, surprised.
| Judge: | "Jetzt, was koennen Sie von die Gesundheit Herr Otto Tuchmann sagen? Wann haben Sie ihn erst kennen gelernt?" ("Now, what can you say concerning the health of Mr. Otto Tuchmann? When did you first meet him?") |
| Rose: | "Jch glaube, es war zuerst im Jahre 1937 oder ein Jahr frueher, wenn er war in America, ein Besuch zu machen. Und er hat nie geaendert, so weit ich weiss, er war nie krank and hat sich immer wie ein Soldat gehalten. ("I believe it was first in the year 1937 or a year earlier when he was in America to make a Visit. He never changed as far as I know, he never was sick and he always held himself like a soldier.") |
| Judge: | "Gut, wie ein Soldat." That appealed to the German in him. I hoped. "Und was hat er den ganzen Tag gemacht?" ("And what did he do all day?") |
| Rose: | "Er war nie zu hause, aber immer hin und her gelaufen.. |